DJ Geribo's Art Apart Newsletter
Fall 2017
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Welcome!

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Fall is the time of year when I think the most about doing Holiday shows and finding opportunities to sell my books and my mini art pieces. Typically I’m adding to my inventory during the summer months through October and preparing for shows in November and December. This year was about the same and although I signed up for only about 3 shows, I still found myself busy with preparation for them.
My table at the New Durham Holiday Fair

And of course, as we head into the year-end, there is much to think about for the new year. I always spend quite a bit of time setting goals for myself. I used to extend this to monthly goals but there were too many other incidents that got in the way and caused me to change direction. I still do work on my yearly goals and then write a weekly to-do list to help me stay focused on what is truly important in my life.

Sometimes, though, ‘important’ translates to ‘necessary’ when food shopping, vacuuming, and laundry are needed each week. It is often surprising to me how much of our lives the daily chores eat up each week. I have found ways to minimize cleaning and am satisfied with the results. It still takes more time than I want to spend. My solution? Hire someone. It is on my short list.
 
Coming up in 2018 - Add your comments to my website blogs!
Also, major redesign of my website - I can't wait!!!

Writings & Musings

Speaking of Memoir

 

In my Summer newsletter, I wrote an article called “Beyond Memoir” and talked about reaching back into my late teens and early twenties to where I was at that time and the people I knew. As a result I’ve been working on a new collection of short stories.

In this article, I’m getting a little more personal with Memoir. This time I’m talking about writing a memoir during a time in my life that I can refer to only as turbulent. I’ve been sorting through papers and notebooks from that time in my life and have found a few things but not what I was looking for, so far. I still have other boxes in our basement that I’m hoping will hold more of the factual information I am seeking.

Mostly I want to get the timeline correct. There were a series of incidents that occurred in my life over a two year period and I want to get the dates right since they make more sense, particularly to me, and I will better be able to relate the story of my life at that time.




Link to DJ Geribo's Blog

After reading the book “Why We Write About Ourselves” compiled by Meredith Maran, I really got thinking about my life and what would make an interesting memoir. I immediately thought about this two year period in my life. I also experienced another similar time in my life more than 15 years later; both times centered on the death of one of my parents.  If after I finish this memoir I feel I still have something to say about my life and my experiences, it will most likely be at this other time.

Suffering through a parent’s death can certainly make for a chaotic time, particularly when others are involved in decisions that need to be made. And what I learned from the book, “Why We Write About Ourselves”, waiting for the right time is often the best decision you can make, even if it means ten or more years later. You might not have all the facts straight but you have enough distance so that you can make sense of the situation that you earlier may have been overwhelmed by.

As I move forward with this memoir, I believe much of my past that still feels like a separate, broken piece of my life, will come together and join the rest of my life, making me feel, in general, more whole.

Working through my memoir is going to take some time and cover a lot of writing and reflecting. Therefore, I'm considering making “Memoir” a regular column in my quarterly newsletter and maybe even on my website. As always, I welcome comments and questions.

I love having the cardinals around here year round. Their bright color stands out whether there are green leaves on the trees or blinding white snow. They are more stand-offish than some of the other birds but I know I can depend on them to arrive first thing in the morning and they are our last visitors to the feeders at night. Both this painting and the hummingbird are mini paintings - approximately 2"x4" - 3"x4".

 

This was the summer of getting amazing photos of birds. Which meant, I had a lot of photos to use for paintings. Since I only use my own photos to paint from, I am always taking photos and have my camera ready when the opportunity presents itself. This year I was fortunate to see many bluebirds on our property, plus hummingbirds, cardinals and others. This is the best photo I've gotten of a female Ruby-Throated.
My Books
Update to Seven Storied Houses

I was quite disappointed that in 2017 I did not have one book published. Of course this puts pressure on us to complete more of my books in 2018.  

I mentioned in my last newsletter that we had joined an online marketer to learn more about promoting my books online. But another issue that has affected publishing the book sooner is finding illustrators who will draw illustrations for us that we can then use with each of the stories. This has been more difficult than we anticipated. Some of the illustrators want to be paid - we are not currently in a position to pay but instead, if we could ideally find illustrators around the country, each of us would be promoting not only ourselves but also the others by telling friends and family and posting on our social media about the book. 

Our plan is to have a short bio about each illustrator in the book along with their contact information. Sounded like a great plan to us. But again, a few were not interested and were only looking for payment, not opportunity. We do have a few illustrators that we will be using so we may have to go with them and see if we can get two illustrations from a couple of them.

 
















Therefore, "Seven Storied Houses" is still in the pre-order state and I will continue to honor giving a copy of "Eddie Easel and the Case of the Missing Green" for free. We may also decide to offer "Seven Storied Houses" in e-book format at some point. 

To pre-order "Seven Storied Houses" go to  www.BBDPublishing.com.

All of my books can be ordered from BBD Publishing:
  1. The House at the top of the Trees
  2. Mouse Bound
  3. The Miracle Dog
  4. Eddie Easel and the Case of the Missing Green (FREE with your Pre-Order of "Seven Storied Houses")

Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love.”     
                             
                                
~Claude Monet

Story in 6

I just added a new menu item to my website called "Story in 6". The '6' stands for six sentences. This is a new idea I came up with to challenge and entertain myself. Like my painting, I think it is important to always challenge myself in whatever medium I'm working. In other words, there is always room for improvement!

Here is my first Story in 6 as featured on my website:

The girl walks her dog through the park every day. She never meets anyone on her walk. Today she finds a small boy sitting alone on a bench. When the boy lifts his head the girl sees the tears streaming down his face. The girl takes the boy by the hand and together they leave the park. The dog sits on the bench, his leash hanging from his collar.

Happy Holidays!!!!!

          And a Happy New Year in 2018!!!!!

Authistpreneur

author/artist/entrepreneur

Someone who is an author, an artist, and an entrepreneur.  Any person who writes or has a published novel, who paints fine art/illustrations, and also has established businesses using the combination of artistic talents.
                                                                - DJ Geribo

 

What I'm Reading


The late fall season is a more difficult time to catch up on reading because although the weather is changing and we are more apt to curl up with a book and a cup of cocoa (or a glass of wine) the holidays are also upon us and so much of what we do, particularly once Thanksgiving is here, is centered on Christmas and shopping and decorating and parties and visiting.

Therefore, I’m thrilled to have read the six books that I did read during this time considering that I had the holidays on my mind along with participation in holiday fairs and your basic day-to-day stuff as well, that can really be a time sponge.

Green Angel – a quick story by Alice Hoffman, there was something magical about the writing that kept me transfixed. Although it was a sad story, there was hope and renewal at the end. I loved it. 
Water Tales – another Alice Hoffman book, and another children’s book that was full of fun and magic, two friends share a memory that will remain with them forever. Two stories, Aquamarine and Indigo, make up this little book.
Who’s Irish? – Gish Jen has a wonderful sense of humor, particularly when she writes as the asian mother of a woman who marries an Irish man. I thoroughly enjoyed this book of short stories and look forward to curling up with one of her novels.
Dune Road – a great little beach read I could see this Jane Green book as a Lifetime or Hallmark movie. Not typically my kind of book to read, but sometimes we can all use a distraction.
Why We Write About Ourselves – this book has put me on the path to writing my own memoir. A compilation of twenty memoirists where each relates their personal stories, the diversity was encouraging and provided a template for writing my own memoir. In other words, almost anything goes!
White Noise - I've been admiring Don Delillo from a short distance and finally decided to read one of his shorter novels and also one I had  in my extensive library. A modern family of half-brothers and sisters comes face-to-face with a local disaster that brings them closer to their fear of death, particularly for the dad Jack and his 4th wife, Babette. The writing is intriguing and addictive. I can't get enough of D. Delillo!

 

Go to My Blog to See What I'm Currently Reading

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